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Monday, February 13, 2012

A westerly visit ...

Oh my, it seems like I have been gone forever! So much to catch up on.

This past week, I was out in Scottsdale visiting a friend.

The world is so gorgeous out there and I couldn't seem

to capture enough of its beauty.

Most of these pictures were simply captured from walks in her neighborhood.

And you know me, I had to do a little editing artwork on them.

I just can't help myself.

I love using Topaz Adjust.

I found the cacti beautiful and intriguing. Apparently the Saguaro cactus grows very slowly -- perhaps an inch a year -- but to a great height of 15 to 50 feet. Some of the largest plants, with more than 5 arms, are estimated to be 200 years old.

The architecture of my friend's home just begged to be photographed.

As did the area palm trees.

And the distant mountains.

Just so much beauty.

And then there was the wildlife.

My friend lives in a zoo!

On our first night, we encountered a coyote on our walk.

He was not interested in us ... he had better things to hunt.

Like the zillion rabbits and quail that were everywhere.

And as we neared the end of our walk, another person stopped us

to point out that he had just seen a bobcat over yonder if I wanted to grab a picture.

I decided to pass. No need to disturb him ...

or me!

Apparently, a few days before, these two bobcats were captured napping by

the mailboxes by one of my friend's neighbors.
(Their photo, not mine)

Just a couple of kitty cats, I guess.

Of course, with all this wildlife around me, I still had to

give homage to my feathered friends.

These guys hovered above us while we drank coffee. I'm unsure what they are but I bet

some of you will know.

They reminded me of robins in my neck of the woods but with

a longer tail.

So do you know what they are?

: : :

There was just not enough time to take all the photos I wanted

of the area. I so wanted to capture an evening sunset on the mountains.

Reena what lovely photos from AZ. Mom and Dad want to visit the Southwest some day. She loves the architecture. OMC you most certainly saw lots of wildlife and how nice they were to pose for you. You know our fav was the Bobcat kitties.Hugs madi and mom

wow reena...yout landscape and architectural pics look like brilliant paintings...so cool to see the wild life as well...been a long time since i was that far west...have a friend going to tucson this week...

Your pictures stand alone quite well without any touching up, but your post precessing is fabulous. Your shots suddenly look like water colors I would have seen on the wall of our home growing up in Palm Beach. I really do need to look into Topaz. I keep reading references to it, but they offer so many different options. Would you have a suggestion as to how I should begin. Until now I only use PSE10 and Picnik which is going vamoose in April. genie

Terrific captures as always, Reena! And, as always, I enjoy your "art work"! Beautiful! I do love all the wildlife! Your bird shots are awesome! I haven't used Topaz, but have enjoyed Picnik, but as Genie wrote, it'll be disappearing in April. Guess I'd better start shopping around! Have a great week!

I just love Scottsdale. I have been there a couple of times. For some reason I think that desert is so much more pretty than here in Vegas, I think its all the saguaro cactus. Your photos are gorgeous. I love the shots of the Bobcats.. So cool!!

What stunning pictures!!! My favorites are the fourth one because of those tree limb shadows on the street, and the one with the palm trees all in a line. You really have an eye for beauty and to line up shots! Happy Valentine's Day!!!

i have a poetry site i run called dversepoets.com ...long story short, i am doing the prompt this saturday and i was wondering if i could select a few of your pictures for the poets to write about? I would link you and give full credit and ask them to do the same on their poems as well.

any way, i def appreciate your photo art and think it would inspire as well.

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